Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 127: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if her attention has been drawn to the decreasing number of women involved in farming; her plans to reverse this trend; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34183/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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In leading the development of Irish agriculture my objectives include the retention of the maximum number of farm families and ensuring that farming is an attractive career option for young people generally, irrespective of gender. Policies pursued by my Department are geared towards achieving these objectives.

In so far as my Department's approach is concerned, the schemes and services administered by it are administered in a gender neutral fashion. Subject to the relevant eligibility criteria, it is open to women involved in farming and in rural life to avail of the full range of services operated by my Department and other agencies. In recognition of the importance of attracting young farmers into agriculture, the Government has put in place a range of incentives to attract people into farming — the installation aid scheme; new entrant/parent milk production partnerships; Teagasc advisory and education services and taxation measures.

The advisory committee's report on the role of women in agriculture, published in September 2000, contained 36 recommendations in total, covering a broad range of policy and operational areas. These areas were — statistical evaluation of women farmers; employment, training and information technology; representation; social inclusion, and personal finance/economic and legal issues. While recognising the contribution of women to agriculture, the advisory committee's central concerns related to broader issues affecting women in rural communities more generally. The advisory committee's report did not identify any specific barriers to entry into farming for women.

I would also make the observation that where women choose to work off-farm, it is because of the multiplicity of employment opportunities which our vibrant economy has made available, many of which may particularly suit the circumstances of such women. It is a good thing that the women of rural Ireland have such choice and opportunity in addition to the option of working in farming.